They rode their luck early on, but both smashed centuries as they put on 153 in good time to put Slough in a commanding position at 180-1 off 32 overs.

But spinners Patel (4-62) and David Hartley (3-91) helped put the brakes on, restricting Slough to just 117 in the final 34 overs and taking eight wickets.

Jon Perkins and (42) and Bjorn Mordt (27) got Reading off to a good start.

Then 17-year-old Nils Mordt (80no) and Tom Fray (70) combined in a stand of 96 which put Reading back in contention.

But the loss in quick succession of the quick-scoring Fray, Patel and Hamid Sana ended any hope of victory and the game fizzled out to a draw with Reading on 250-6.

Patel said: "Nils was incredible. The maturity he showed was superb, and he is also a good all-round sportsman as he has just signed a contract with London Irish rugby club."

Reading will be desperate to stay in the title chase this week by picking up maximum points against Beaconsfield at Sonning Lane, with paceman Gareth Edwards expected to return.

Former Gloucestershire batsman Tim Hancock plunged Finchampstead deeper into trouble at the foot of the table after spearheading Henley's 47-run success.

It was the first time the sides had met in many years, but defending champions Finch crashed to their seventh defeat in nine games this season.

Henley were put in to bat but, after weathering the early overs, both openers fell on 28.

Then, with the score on 86, the experienced Hancock became the fifth Henley man out, dismissed by Aussie Mark McInnes for a good 51.

A further fell just before lunch to leave the visitors on 100-6.

The next three fell with 155 on the board, with two in successive balls for off-spinner Paul Carter, but a last-wicket stand of 37 frustrated Finch and Henley were finally all out for 192 in the 61st over.

There were two wickets apiece for Nick Denning, Mike O'Sullivan, Stephen Bloyce and Carter.

Finch, lacking key batsmen, changed the batting order, but this did not go to plan as the pace of Steve Tomlinson, Steve Wright and Hancock reduced the hosts to a desperate 42-6.

Skipper Stuart Seymour returned and put his side back in with a chance before being run out for an excellent 58.

That left Finch on 114-8, and although sensible batting from Tom Ansell and Chris Ward moved the score along it was not enough and Finch were all out 145 with only four overs left.

High Wycombe stretched their lead at the top after cruising to a five-wicket win over Beaconsfield.

And Basingstoke & North Hants moved up to fifth after easing to a four-wicket win at Banbury.

Craig Haupt (66) and Tim Smith (60) took Banbury to 183, but Peter Harris's 67no steered 'Stoke home at 184-6.

Struggling Bicester & North Oxford crashed to a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Radlett, Mark Evans (50no) helping Radlett to 85-1 after the Oxon outfit were shot out for just 84.